Sonia Sotomayor: The True American Dream

by Antonia Felix

"Necessary reading" ( Booklist ) from a New York Times bestselling biographer. Drawing on in-depth interviews with Sonia Sotomayor's former colleagues, family, friends, and teachers, New York Times bestselling biographer Antonia Felix explores Sotomayor's childhood, the values her parents instilled in her, and the events that propelled her to the highest court in the land. With insight and thoughtful analysis, Felix paints a revealing portrait of the woman who would come to meet President Obama's rigorous criteria for a Supreme Court justice, examining how Sotomayor's experiences shed light on her Supreme Court rulings-and how she will continue to write her great American legacy.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Womens, Law

329 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Lisa Butterworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this on the new books shelf at the library and I couldn't help myself. It provided a quick, easy to read basic bio, and that was pretty much what I was interested in. I will admit to skimming the long long sections detailing many of the cases she handled throughout her career. I'm just not that into the law, I guess. But over all, a clear, concise, balanced, accessible basic overview of an interesting woman's life.

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really recommend this book. What a story of achievement. After reading this book, I have become a real fan of Justice Sotomayor's. A great read.

[Jennifer S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars. A bit of a sell-job, but inspiring story of Sotomayor's background and career path. It would have been nice to hear about something she *didn't* do outstandingly well - presumably something fell into that category?

[Kathryn McKendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Harry Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sotomayor is an interesting person, an overachiever who persevered through many difficulties. I thought this a useful, but not definitive, biography.

[Elizabeth Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was truly an inspirational read about Justice Sotomayor & her journey to the Supreme Court. I loved how she credited her mother for her strong work ethic and her “I can do anything” attitude. & it was appalling at times the race and gender discrimination that she was subject to throughout her entire career. Some of the gender discrimination really resonated especially when she talked about as a woman doors would eventually open but women often have to work twice as hard and be twice as good for those doors to open which is unfortunately still true in the legal profession. Definitely also a timely read as we are in the throes of election season.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

At fifty-five years old, Sonia Sotomayor became the 111th associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the third woman to serve in the Courts 220 year history, and the first Hispanic. This is the story of her life in the Bronx and her ascension to the highest court in the land.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is amazing; the writing is average.

[Bharath · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good to book to understand early life of Justice Sotomayor.

[Shauna Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felix writes a good biography (see Elizabeth Warren). This is a fast read. She covers quite a few cases of Sotomayor. I felt like I knew quite a bit about Sotomayor by the end.

[Lisa Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Columnist, speaker and author Antonia Felix offers a beautiful portrait of our first hispanic US Supreme Court justice. She did so without ever speaking to Justice Sotomayor who does not do interviews. I had several hours waiting for my car to be fixed and I read this straight through as it reads like a novel. It is a book every high school young woman should read because Sotomayor is a genuine, intelligent, warm, driven and wonderful woman. There is so much to admire here but when I read how she always credits her own mother with who she is it warms my heart. The other fact was she was the judge who handled the 1994 baseball strike when baseball disappeared for the first time in nearly 100 years. Her generous and thoughtful nature is acknowledged by many who know her and it appears to compliment her complete command of the law. Complete with black and white pictures, notes, bibliography and index.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of this book that I am reading has surprized me in many ways because she overcame so many obstacles like poverty,paying her family's bills, meeting her first boyfriend named Kevin,her diabetic news, and getting her education and job to work in the law firm. Those clips of her struggles, success, griefs, and joys made her to be the third woman and the first Latina judge to be in the Supreme Court of the United States of America in American history. The book was written by Antonia Felix. The author was awarded for New York Times Best Selling Author.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

INTERESTING.

“She approached any issue from the standpoint of a fierce intellectual curiosity and integrity.”—page 44

‘Sonia Sotomayor,’ by Antonia Felix is an interesting, albeit somewhat unexcitingly related, read. Her mother’s story has more sizzle.

Recommendation: Court-watchers, and those interested in the ‘immigrant experience’—extending into first-generation native-born—might find this a worthwhile read.

Barnes & Noble NOOKBook, 263 pages

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting how she became the first female Hispanic Supreme Court Judge who worked her way up from the different courts. The obstacles her mother overcame as a young non English speaking woman from Puerto Rico going to New York and setting an example to her children after she meets and marries. Sonia is someone to look up to for not only Hispanic women but all minorities both children and adults.

[Kris Bartels · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reads like Sonia's resume combined with detailed descriptions of the New York justice system.

I wanted to read this book because I thought it would be full of stories about her life. I only read until page 170 or so and I quit. Where are the stories about the husband that was barely mentioned? Where are the personal stories.

I learned a lot about her in the pages I read, but I wanted more stories of her family and personal life.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though some of the book was interesting, I felt that they had too many details I didn't need to know about various court cases. I don't need ALL the facts to make it a biography, just the pertinent ones.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing person and story. This is well worth the time to read her story.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly a balanced view of Sotomayor. Enjoyable reading, but not terribly informative; offers only the glossy surface version of a life and a career.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved to read about Sonia's personal life and perspective on being a successful Latina woman. Didn't dig all the legal case details.

[Dorothy J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Club Read - March 2014

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the middle section (where she appointed as a judge and trying to figure the job out) to be the most interesting. I'm looking forward to reading her autobiography.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about this remarkable woman.

[Leann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a hard book to get into and keep my attention span. There were chapters that weren't so bad....but the writing style just didn't hold my interest a lot of the time.

[Cindywue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. I love reading about powerful, successful women!

[Ginny Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned about her background and personality. Gained a new respect for her.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring but rather dry.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

intimate, honest, impressive look at a woman with incredible PLUCK!